We rearranged the timings of our third and final Year-list Kick-starter Cruise to avoid the howling weather experienced this morning, but once the foul weather passed through the birding was phenomenal! Brownsea Lagoon was rammed, 2,500 Black-tailed Godwit were accompanied by 150 Avocet, Sanderling, 3 Greenshank, Teal, Wigeon, Gadwall, Shoveler and a carpet of Dunlin. As we departed the lagoon, a Peregrine was picked up over Sandbanks, no doubt making its way over to chase down the the high tide roost on Brownsea. Great Northern Diver were thinly spread throughout the trip, with 5 individuals logged across the Central Harbour and southern shorelines. Flybys of Common and Velvet Scoter were delightful around back of the islands, with 4 obliging Eider, Goldeneye, 1 Black-necked Grebe and several Grey Seal logged also adding interest. Ower Bay featured animated winter scenes involving a cast of hundreds of Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Teal, Wigeon and Pintail when flushed by a passing Marsh Harrier. A visit to Shipstal and Middlebere enjoyed 14 Spoonbill and the first of more eagle action to come! Another highlight from a trip full of highs involved White-tailed Eagle G801. After watching her around Goldpoint, Arne, she was observed actively hunting a Canada Goose in the Wareham Channel – this is the first time this active hunting behaviour has been observed in the harbour!

Elsewhere across the harbour, 4 Hen Harrier in the harbour, logged across the Purbeck heaths and an actively hunting Goshawk over the Wareham Channel chasing down Avocet and Herring Gull before an altercation with a Marsh Harrier and finally landing a Lapwing. A Sanderling and Purple Sandpiper were logged along the Sandbanks groynes, with 4 Grea Northern Diver in Shell Bay, with another entering the harbour and another in Bramble bush bay. Two Common Scoter were logged of off Pilot’s Point and a further 3 Black-necked Grebes from Middle Beach. To round it off, a drake Goldeneye remains at Poole Park.

Common Scoter – from BoPH Cruise yesterday – Mark Wright

Eider – from BoPH cruise yesterday – Mark Wright

Firstly, tomorrow we have our final ‘Year List Kick Starter’ boat heading out during the afternoon. It was originally planned for tomorrow morning, but due to the torrid forecast we’ve re-scheduled until the afternoon, 1pm – 4pm where the forecast is much better. There are still places available, and if this mornings is anything to go by, then it could be another cracker. Here is this mornings FULL eBIRD CHECKLIST for our cruise. To book onto tomorrow afternoons you can do so by CLICKING HERE.

Highlights from todays trip included stunning views of female White-tailed Eagle G801 as she circled close to the boat. A ringtail Hen Harrier passed high over the Keysworth shoreline and 3 Marsh Harrier were interacting around the Swineham area. A Peregrine dashed across in front of the boat at the end of the trip and a few Buzzard soared against crisp blue sky’s. We got great views of 17 Spoonbill which were unusually roosting in the mouth of Middlebere, with another 5 on Shipstal Point. Open water species also put on a show with 4 Great Northern Diver, 1 Velvet Scoter, 1 Common Scoter, 5 Eider Duck, 120 Red-breasted Merganser, 5 Goldeneye, 60 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Black-necked Grebe. The Brownsea Lagoon was stuffed with birds including c2000 Black-tailed Godwit, 60 Bar-tailed Godwit, c800 Avocet, 80 Oystercatcher and smaller numbers of Greenshank, Turnstone, Dunlin and Grey Plover. Roughly c400 dark-bellied Brent Geese were feeding along the southern shores. Other highlights from elsewhere around the harbour included a ringtail Hen Harrier at Lytchett Bay with 2 Spoonbill there too. A flock of 8 Mandarin Duck flew down the Piddle Valley towards the weir and this morning 6 Marsh Harrier and 3 hen Harrier were seen leaving the harbour to go and hunt and in Upton CP 2 Firecrest were in the centre of the park. At Holes Bay, totals included 90 Dunlin, 272 Black-tailed Godwit, 187 Avocet, 92 Redshank and 50 Curlew. In the PCW Drain 20+ Chiffchaff were enjoying the sun with another Firecrest. 

Female White-tailed Eagle G801 – Wareham Channel – Mark Wright (@markwright12002)

Spoonbills – Middlebere Channel – Alison Copland

A stunning start to the day this morning, with a record of 5 Hen Harrier escorting a White-tailed Eagle high south over the Wareham Channel. A scan of Holes Bay included 350+ Black-tailed Godwit, 200+ Dunlin, 120 Avocet, 75 Redshank, 18 Brent Geese, 1 Snipe and 1 Spotted Redshank. Numbers of Black-tailed Godwit on Brownsea Lagoon remain high with a count of 3277 present this morning. 1 Marsh Harrier was seen from Rock Lea Viewpoint over Lytchett Bay. Signs of spring continued with a singing Woodlark was heard this morning along Holme Lane. The Spoonbill count at Shipstal Point remained at 22 individuals.

Holes Bay – Martin Adams

This weather is getting a bit boring. The strong winds must have blown some decent birds in, if only it would let up for long enough for anyone to go and check! Thankfully the sun comes out on Friday which is when our next ‘Year List Kick-Starter’ bird boat is, so we should be able to find out soon. To join us on these exciting new cruises you can BOOK HERE. 

The good news is that there were 3 White-tailed Eagles in the harbour again today with the welcome return of G801 who was the female that spent most of the summer and autumn in the harbour, before being booted out by the older G466 in early November. However, G466 left last week and somehow, G801 (who’s been further north) must have known and arrived back mid-morning. Let’s hope she has another long staying period in the harbour and this time finds a mate! One of them (we’re not sure which yet) flew over Brownsea late afternoon, and we can’t wait for the day one appears on the new Brownsea Lagoon webcams. The only other highlights today were a Slavonian Grebe again off Middle Beach and a large haul of dark-bellied Brent Geese in Middlebere. Brent Geese have stayed well away from Middlebere this winter for some reason, so it was good to see such a large flock settle along the channel mid-morning. The PCW drain still has plenty of Chiffchaff and there was a Firecrest at the northern end.

Common Chiffchaff – PCW Drain (Fleets Corner) – Ian Ballam

A few new species for the harbour year list popped up today with a Black-throated Diver in Shell Bay with 2 Great Northern Diver and a Brambling was in a small Chaffinch flock at the Lytchett Bay feeders. A Slavonian Grebe was off Middle Beach with 6 Black-necked Grebe. A White-tailed Eagle flew over Lytchett Bay heading towards the Wareham Channel and a ringtail Hen Harrier was in Middlebere this afternoon. At Norden sewage works, a Siberian Chiffchaff was feeding wirh several Common Chiffchaff.

Reed Bunting and Greenfinch – Rock Lea view feeders, Lytchett Bay

At South Haven, Studland this morning 82 Shag entered through the harbour mouth, joining the 10 Great Northern Diver (5 flying in together), 8 Red-breasted Merganser and 2 Great Crested Grebe present, alongside 54 Brent Geese and a flock of 28 Grey Plover. Just round the corner in Brands Bay on the evening low tide there were 200+ Dunlin, 23 Grey Plover, 15 Curlew, 82 Lapwing, 3 Black-Tailed Godwit, 1 Little Egret, 20 Brent Geese, 80+ Wigeon, 30+ Teal, 5 Pintail and 3 Black-necked Grebe with 30+ Red-breasted Merganser and 12 Great Crested Grebe in the channel beyond. Over at Lytchett Fields, 2 Skylark were visible in the in Arable Field despite the rain, and 2 Spotted Redshank were present on the Pools Field. This afternoon, they were joined by 20 Dunlin, 61 Redshank, 1 Black-tailed Godwit & 1 Firecrest in the holly nearby, along with 1 Marsh Harrier seen from the Rock Lea viewpoint. Further inland a flock of 40 Fieldfare was reported at Canford, and a male Goosander was seen on Hatch Pond. A single Cattle Egret was also present once again on Wareham Common.

Spotted Redshank – Lytchett Bay – Paul Morton

Absolute belter of a cruise this afternoon – our first trip of the year focussed on those 2023 year lists and it didn’t disappoint! Before we’d even set off Kingfisher and Turnstone had made it onto the species list, quickly followed up with Great Northern Diver, Grey Seal and an impressive range of wetland species on Brownsea Lagoon – with highlights including 150 Avocet, 2 Grey Plover, 30 Bar-tailed Godwit and 1500 Black-tailed Godwit. As we continuing around the back of the islands we quickly encountered more Great Northern Divers (finishing on 10 in total), 3 Eider, 1 Common Scoter, 4 Black-necked Grebe, a smart male Goldeneye, 3 Spoonbill and near constant views of Red-breasted Merganser and Great Crested Grebe. After scouring the southern shorelines we set off west for the Wareham Channel where we picked up 5 Marsh Harrier and 3 Little Grebe, nearly making it to Swineham Gravel Pit to add some additional duck species before a stonking adult male Hen Harrier stole the show and diverted our attention, tracking the bird for a prolonged period over Gigger’s Island and Arne Moors – magic! The return journey offered nice views of a small group of the 1500 or so Dark-belled Brent Geese logged from the trip and an additional 5 Spoonbill feeding in the channel. A stunning trip with Poole Harbour at it’s best!

Elsewhere, a Ruff occupied Lytchett Fields, feeding with the Common Redshank and an hour’s watch from the new Rock Lea Watch Point, Lytchett Bay produced 2 Spotted Redshank from the screen along with 2 Firecrest, also 2 Marsh Harrier, 50 Linnet, 1 Shoveler, 5 Red-breasted Merganser, Avocets and Little Grebes. While the neightbouring Holes Bay clocked up 712 Wigeon, 154 Shoveler, c50 Teal & 21 Pintail in the NW sector. An early start enjoyed a single Red-throated Diver arrive into harbour, headed in Brands Bay direction.

Keen to get your year list off to a flying start, or just want to enjoy Poole Harbour at its wintery peak? There’s still spaces on our new Year-list Kick-starter Cruises. Our next trips are running next week and more details about our full schedule can be found here.

Spotted Redshanks – Rock Lea viewing screen 

Curlew – Sandbanks – @00MrWilson00

The harbour started off like a mill pond this morning which allowed for some decent open water viewing from various view points. From Jerry’s Point there were 3 Great Northern Diver, 6 Black-necked Grebe, 3 Goldeneye, 1 Common Scoter and a surprise 1st year Kittiwake.The lone Purple Sandpiper was on one the the Haven Hotel groyne’s, 1 Slavonian Grebe was also off Jerry’s Point later in the day and off Middle Beach, Studland 7 Black-necked Grebe were feeding. In Middlebere 2 Hen Harrier dashed through and at the PCW Drain the January big increase of Chiffchaff seems to be building with c30 feeding along the channel along with 2 Firecrest. Off Baiter there were also 3 Great Northern Diver and out in Poole Bay 2 Red-throated Diver headed west. Finally, there were 2 different White-tailed Eagles seen today with 1 in Lytchett Bay near Otter Island and 1 in the Wareham Channel.

Kingfisher – Swineham 

It was very mild again today, and despite only being early January there were plenty of signs that spring is just around the corner. Daffodil heads are just begging to pop their heads above ground in some warm sheltered spots, a Mistle Thrush is is back on territory already in the Piddle Valley and a pair of Kestrel have been seen going into one of our harbour nest boxes. All good stuff! There were also signs of some Poole Bay passage when a flock of 11 Red-throated Diver settled off Middle Beach briefly before heading back out to sea again where there were also 6 Black-necked Grebe and 6 Common Scoter. There was also a Black-necked Grebe in Shell Bay with a Great Northern Diver. Off Jerry’s Point the Velvet Scoter was still feeding and there with 20+ Red-breasted Merganser. A White-tailed Eagle drifted over Arne and headed towards Brands Bay with another or the same seen at Lytchett Fields where there was also a Spotted Redshank. Brownsea Lagoon saw some cracking totals with 1112 Avocet and 3150 Black-tailed Godwit. A Red-throated Diver was off the Brownsea south shore and later in the afternoon 2 Great Northern Diver were in the harbour mouth.

A busy Brownsea Lagoon – Nicki Tutton